Three of the five seats on the Bridgeville Commission are up for grabs in the town’s election, which will take place on Saturday, March 1.
Commissioners Joe Conaway, Pat Correll, and William Jefferson, who were originally elected to the council together in 2001, filed for re-election in December and so far no newcomers have thrown their hats in the ring.
Correll, who has run unopposed the last two years, is running for a one-year term while Jefferson and Conaway are each vying for a two-year term. Candidates have until Wednesday, Jan. 29, to file.
“I’m still in the learning process,” Jefferson said. “I think we made a lot of improvements in town and we want to keep it going.”
Joe Conaway, commission president, said: “We agreed, the three of us, that we are moving in a positive direction in Bridgeville. We need to continue the efforts of the commission to make positive things happen in Bridgeville.”
“I think we’re in the middle of the transition period. I’ve seen a lot of (positive) change in the town,” Correll added. “It’s been a pleasure working with Mr. Conaway and the rest of the Commission.”
Correll ran for the Bridgeville Commission two years ago after being actively involved with the town for a number of years. She retired from Delaware Farm Credit (now Mid Atlantic Farm Credit) of Georgetown last March. “I’ve had more time to be involved in the town since I retired,” said Correll.
Among the Commission’s accomplishments that Correll is most proud of are: getting a grant to plant trees on Delaware Avenue, purchasing Christmas lights (with help from the Lioness and Kiwanis clubs), starting Christmas Carolling in town two years ago, and improving communication with the town’s employees.
She is also proud of the community’s involvement in projects such as cleanup day, which was done in association with the Lion’s Club. “We have had a lot of local citizens step up and do a great job for this town, Correll said.
Conaway, who works at Cooper Realty in Millsboro and was formerly a county administrator, believes the commission has made a number of positive steps over the past couple years including taking steps to allow for new development in town, upgrades to the town sewer system, and an improvement in the town’s financial outlook.
According to Conaway, the town had dire financial problems in January 2001, but by June of that year the commission began to turn things around. Last year the town had a surplus of $18,000 and this year the town had a $61,000 surplus.
Conaway is also proud of the commission’s involvement in the town’s growth, which included an annexation of 900 acres of land (tripling the town’s size) in a town vote last October. Included in the land that was annexed were 761 acres that are to be developed into a golf course and development by Allen and Rocks, Inc.
“The commission as a whole is interested in seeing the new development come on. Once the bulldozers are in the field people will realize this is going to happen,” Conaway said. “We’re trying to protect the tradition (of the town) while growing into the future.”
The Commission has also established a savings account to make water and sewer improvements without needing to raise taxes.
Jefferson, who has worked at Messick and Gray for the last 37 or 38 years and is a salesman, sees the new development, land annexations, and improved relations with town employees as the Commission’s major accomplishments over the past two years.
He would like to see the new development get up and going and break ground. As the town’s police commissioner, he would also like to hire additional police officers in order to become a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week police department. The commission will discuss the hiring of two additional officers (bringing the number of full-time officers to six) at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 13.
“I’m looking forward to another term,” said Jefferson. “I think that we have a good team.”
The election will take place on Saturday, March 1, from 12 to 7 p.m. at town hall. Residents must register to vote by February 18.

Greenwood Library
The Greenwood Public Library would like to begin the New Year with some special children’s programs:
Story time on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 10:30 a.m., will take on a special theme. A “Winnie The Pooh Party” for pre-school kids has been planned with stories, snacks, games and activities that feature Pooh and his wonderful friends.
Greenwood Library’s American Girl Club will not only have a special theme this month, but a different meeting place. On Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. school-age girls are invited to an “Indoor Beach Party” to be held in the V.F.W. meeting room located one-block behind the library. Bring a pair of sunglasses and warm a winter’s evening with our tropical fun!
Pre-registration for these programs is appreciated and can be done in person or over the phone.
The Greenwood Library is located on Mill Street, next door to the Post Office.
For more information, call 349-5309.